Details

A captivating cultural story, where East meets West.

Istanbul Ensemble take audiences on a journey of rich, cultural expression through music. Exploring the sound worlds of the kaval, düdük, kemence and more, the ensemble will play in different styles, revealing the marriage between the best of East and West. The whirling dervishes were founded by the mystic poet Rumi in the 13th century. ‘Come, come whoever you are, your religion is not important’.

A truly exhilarating and captivating cultural story that will transform, taking audiences into a magical world of rich history and culture.

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About the Artists

Reha Aytac nay, baglama, kemence, kaval, düdük
Rahman Aytac percussion darbuka
Cuneyt Cakmak kanun qanun
Salih Onerli keyboard
Caner Yildirim sufi whirling, semazen

Reha Aytac is a talented musician who was born in Giresun, Turkey and started to play the drums at the age of 7. In 2001, his career began at Istanbul Technical University Turkish Music State Conservatory High School as a wind instrument student. In 2005, he started his Undergraduate University program at Istanbul Technical University Turkish/Music State Conservatory. In 2011, he moved to Melbourne as a Zurna teacher for the Australian Turkish Mehter Community. Currently, he continues as a musician and soloist in the group Istanbul Entertainment and Istanbul Ensemble. Reha plays düdük, Nay, Zurna flute, kemence and Bağlama, instruments that produce the most mystic sound among Middle Eastern instruments.

Cuneyt Cakmak is a Kanun player born in Istanbul Turkey. Cuneyt started playing Kanun when he was 8 years old. He studied Turkish music at Bogazici Music School. After he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, he came to Melbourne to continue his Engineering study and completed a Masters degree in Engineering. He has worked with many great musicians both in Turkey and Australia. Currently, Cuneyt performs Kanun with various Melbourne-based bands and artists such as Zourouna, Bashka, Mozaiq, Mastika and many other notable bands. Cuneyt has been immersed in various genres such as Turkish classical music, jazz, rock, flamenco, Middle Eastern, and modern Turkish music. This has enabled him to create his own authentic and unique style of playing.

Rahman Aytaç was born in Giresun, Turkey. His father was a talented musician who taught him at a very young age to play the darbuka drum at the age of 9, following in his brother’s and father’s steps. In 2003, he joined Istanbul Technical University Turkish Music State Conservatory High School as a folk-dance student. In 2007 he started his Undergraduate University program at Istanbul Technical University Turkish Music State Conservatory. Rahman worked together with his brother Reha recordings for many artists in studios and participated in international folklore festivals. In 2011. In 2016, he moved to Melbourne as a drum and percussion teacher for the Australian Turkish Mehter Community. Currently, he continues to play many instruments as a musician and soloist in the group of Istanbul Entertainment and Istanbul Ensemble.

Salih Onerli was born in Cyprus and has been playing music professionally since the age of 18 years old. His primary instruments are keyboards and the piano. A talented and sought-after musician, he performs at all types of musical events from cultural to private gatherings and main event productions.